It’s strange to realize that the end of the first Marvel Cinematic Universe trilogy is almost here. It feels like not that long ago, Marvel was ambitiously releasing Iron man in theaters, hoping for a mild success. But as Captain America: Civil War opens in theaters this May, it is most definitely the beginning of the end and specifically setting up the two-part Avengers: Infinity War finale. Fans of Marvel comics and readers of the Civil War storyline may have an inkling of what to expect and directors Joe and Anthony Russo have hinted that Captain America: Civil War will have a “very dramatic” and “controversial” ending.

The Russos spoke in the latest issue of Empire magazine, which featured Iron Man and Captain America on its latest cover. When asked how this, the first of the Phase 3 movies, would begin to set up the events that would play out in Avengers: Infinity War, they did not mince words.

The consequences of Civil War will have an even more significant impact [than The Winter Soldier]. In Civil War, we’re going to change the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Psychology, and it’s an extreme shift.

They went on to explain the connection they wanted for all three of their Marvel films:

We wanted Winter Soldier, Civil War, and the Infinity War films to have a strong through line. We look at this movie as setting the stage for Infinity War, how it starts and what condition everybody is in.

As we alluded to above, longtime Marvel fans know what the Russos are hinting at, but for those who aren’t caught up, we’ll issue a very stern SPOILER ALERT. We don’t know if this is exactly what they are talking about, but if it is, they are huge spoilers for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Civil War storyline ends in the comics with the death of Captain America, shot by Crossbones and a hypnotized Agent 13/Sharon Carter. Bucky Barnes later takes up the mantle of Captain America, while the loss fractures the lineup of the Avengers. This is certainly an ending, if used in the films, that one might call both dramatic and controversial. It also jives with what we’ve heard previously about most of the major Avengers, as we’ve known them up until this point, sitting out the first part of Avengers: Infinity War, before they’re all brought back to defeat Thanos for good in Part 2. (Yes, even though Steve Rogers dies in the comics, he eventually returns. The same could happen in the films, especially with the Soul Stone, which has yet to be revealed in one of the movies.)

It’s possible, in fact likely, that Marvel has shot multiple endings to keep scoopers on their toes and unsure of what will make it into the final product, but the death of Captain America, certainly is one major way to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe and set the stage for a very dramatic finale.